Park University - Narva Yearbook (Parkville, MO)

Page 14 text:

One of the tilings which makes Park College a different—and better ' —Institution is her system of self-help which has been an integral feature of the school since its founding. The very motto Fides et Labor gives a suggestion of the spirit of Park; to emphasize the dignity of labor and to teach respect for the worker. d hrough the family work system every student contributes something to his college and in so doing receives invaluable training. Whether coal heavers, truck drivers, carpenters, electricians, florists, milkers, janitors, waitresses, cooks, librarians, secretaries or departmental assistants the students use part of their time and ability to the accomplishment of the tasks incidental to the successful running of the institution. Everyone works at least fifteen hours a week at some job as nearly as possible in line with his prefe rence, experience or capability. Commensurate with his ability and performance the student advances or remains in the type of work which he does. Thus the system rewards initiative, discourages indiffer¬ ence, and aids in teaching students how to work. The spirit of democracy and cooperation engendered by family work is perhaps the most valuable aspect of the system. Just to illustrate that Laboring is an active and vital part of life at this school, here are some of the things which have been accomplished by the supervised student workers during the past year. Three meals a day have been prepared and served to five hundred people, the water and heating plants which supply heat and water to both the town and the college have been operated and maintained. The electricians, carpenters and plumbers have repaired and replaced countless pieces of equipment. Trees and shrubs have been planted, flowers and vegetables grown, buildings built and repaired, books re-bound, and newspapers and programs printed. Yes, the students have scrubbed and waxed and scribbled and not only have they enjoyed and profited by doing all this, but they have also learned and are learning what is to be expected of them when they leave school and start out on their own. We point with pride to the fact that today there are young men, graduates of Park and products of the family work system, who are doing outstanding work in the fields of high power electricity, fine machine work, and construction. Many of these men received their first training in these fields here at Park in the line of family work and all of them were here given a chance to develop their skills and abilities by doing the actual work as well as studying the related subjects in class. Working with hands, head, and heart, turns the cog wheel which grinds out the varied destines of youth.

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that will ever touch their lives. We cannot recall the history of the universities of Europe without a feeling of deep emotion—Paris, Oxf ord, Cambridge, Heidelberg, Leipzig, Strassburg, Vienna and Prague. Few are the movements that have blessed humanity, and advanced the cause of truth and justice, that have not had their origin at these seats of learning. Universities have proved themselves the most en¬ during of human institutions. Park College is not yet much more than a half century old. Yet in that time certain ideals have grown up that are a part of her very life. Among these must be included, a respect for scholarship, a genuine appreciation of learning, an understanding of the meaning and sig¬ nificance of the Fine Arts as a means in creating the fine art of living. Cicero in Pro Archia has expressed eloquently and perfectly, the enduring values of learning or letters. These studies are the food of youth, the charm of age, an orna¬ ment in prosperity, in adversity a refuge and a solace; a delight at home, and no hindrance in public life; they are our comrades of the night, in foreign lands, amid country scenes. Dean Sanders lecturing to his Faust class. In addition to his many duties as Dean of the Col¬ lege, Dean Sanders also teaches two classes in General Literature.

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May I have a Gates, or perhaps it’s a Muzzy history book. The librarians not only check out books, but have inventory, cataloging, and re¬ ports to make. 1 he laundry supervised by Mrs. W. T. Young supplies the rest of the campus with clean table cloths, napkins, towels, and bedding. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and then dishes to do—-each requires a different group of workers. The college print shop under the direction of Mr. Grattan does all the college printing, including the Park Stylus and the college catalog. Mums in the fall, sweet peas in the winter, tomatoes in the spring, are a few of the things supplied by the Park College Greenhouses. The general force, guided by Boss Goodwin, plant the trees, shovel coal, clean the snow from the sidewalks, and mow the grass.